Linear actuation and vectoring ring support mechanism for axisymmetric vectoring nozzle

Abstract

Three vectoring ring support and actuation apparatuses are disposed in an equi-angular manner circumferentially about the engine casing. Each of the vectoring ring support and actuation apparatuses includes a vectoring ring means to transfer side loads from the vectoring ring to the engine casing, a vectoring ring translation means for allowing the ring to be translated, and a support pivoting means and ring gimballing means to allow the vectoring ring attitude adjustments by a set of linear actuators. The vectoring ring support apparatus transfers side loads acting on a vectoring ring and generated by a gas turbine engine thrust vectoring nozzle to a relatively stationary portion of the engine and allows tilting of the vectoring ring to vector the thrust of the nozzle. Each linear actuator is connected by a slider bar to the vectoring ring, a first actuator joint connects the linear actuator to a forward end of the slider bar, and an aft actuator joint connects an aft end of the slider bar to the vectoring ring. The aft actuator joint preferably is a ball joint having three rotational degrees of freedom and the forward actuator joint is preferably a clevis joint.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.